Piraeus Marine Club was established more than 50 years ago in the heart of Shipping in Piraeus.
Almost half a century later what remains the same and what has changed since 1968? In what ways Piraeus Marine Club preserved the strong bonds of the maritime community?
The Piraeus Marine Club was established in 1968, by a team of inspired people who visioned the creation of a Club of international standards, which would allow the bond of friendship and the development of interpersonal and professional relationships among all individuals involved with shipping, in a familiar and well protected environment.
The contribution of the Club and its significant offer, has been recognized by all shipping individuals and professionals who supported it very dynamically, and imposed its presence in its private premises, in its natural environment, the port of Piraeus.
The main reasons of the recognition and the success of the Piraeus Marine Club are the highly valued principles of its members, which have been imprinted in the Club’s memorandum of association. This memorandum, which is still active, includes a very significant paragraph where the non-profit character of the organization is being stressed out and highlights its main purpose which is: “the development and the tightening of friendly relationships between all individuals occupied in the Merchant Marine Industry, the meeting opportunities between the Members in order to exchange their thoughts and ideas on professional issues and the confrontation in common, of all Greek and International Shipping matters”.
After more than 50 years of creative activity of the Piraeus Marine Club it became a common knowledge for all Members that the objectives as well as the future of the Club will be based on the same primary values and principles, without overlooking the developments and demands of a contemporary and globalized Business Community such as shipping, especially during a period where this industry as well as the whole world is going through rough times due to the pandemic and the environmental effects.
During the last years, we have strongly supported the development and the evolvement of the institution of our “Business Lunches”, by inviting Prime Ministers, Party Leaders, Ministers, Ambassadors of countries with long lasting tradition in shipping, as well as of all leaders of the Political, Economic, Business and Scientific life of the country, offering credible and updated positions and opinions from the most reputable personalities.
These events are extremely successful, and have special impact and coverage from the Greek and International press, as they have proved to be the best sources for Economical and Political news of great importance and gravity, for the shipping industry and overall.
Taking as a fact that shipping is a business industry without frontiers, in which Greeks’ performance is outstanding, one of our aims, is the mtightening of relationships and contacts through the provision of excellent services to our Members, and the enforcement of the “Greek element” worldwide, through our collaboration with foreign clubs such as the “Naval Club” of London, the “Indian House Club” of New York, then historical club “Circolo Artistico Tunnel” of Genova, “The Forest and Stream Club” of Montreal, as well as synergies with many other Clubs, Institutions and Organizations.
The Piraeus Marine Club throughout its history offers a warm, friendly and comfortable environment not only to its Members, but to the shipping community as a whole and enforces friendly and business contacts as well as communication between professionals from the same field, contributing to a vital approach of issues of high importance for the Greek and International shipping industry.
* CEO of Stavros Daifas Maritime Corporation S.A. / President of Piraeus Marine Club / Authorized Municipal Councilor of Culture of Municipality of Piraeus
The answer was provided for NAFS magazine issue 143 in its special report “WOMEN in SHEPPING”